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Acid/Base Catalized Reaction: (A.k.a. Two-Stage Process)
Acid/Base Catalized Reaction: (A.k.a. Two-Stage Process)
REACTION
(a.k.a. Two-Stage Process)
Alkali Catalysts
Not suitable for high FFA feeds because of soap
formation.
Typical catalyst amounts:
Sodium hydroxide:
1% of triglyceride weight
Potassium hydroxide:
1% of triglyceride weight
Sodium methoxide:
0.25% of triglyceride
weight
Glycerolysis
Add glycerol to high FFA feedstock with
catalyst (ZnCl) at 200C.
Converts FFAs to monoglycerides and
diglycerides. These can be transesterified to
methyl esters with a base catalyst.
Water formed by
FFA + glycerol >> monoglyceride + water
is vented as it is formed.
Glycerolysis
Disadvantages:
Requires high temperature, 200C
Fairly slow process.
Requirement for clean glycerol is not
known.
Acid Catalysis
Use acid such as sulfuric acid to catalyze
both esterification and transesterification
reactions.
Esterification of FFA is fast (1 hour) but
transesterification is slow (2 days) at 60C.
Water formation by
FFA + methanol >> methyl ester + water
Can be a problem.
Lab Procedure
the top
(Directions taken from Iowa State Lab procedure,Pretreatment of High Free Fatty Acid
Feedstocks)
References
Canakci, M. and J. Van Gerpen, 1999, Biodiesel
Production via Acid Catalysis, ASAE
Transactions, 42(5):1203-1210.
Canakci, M. and J. Van Gerpen, 2001, Biodiesel
Production from Oils and Fats with High Free
Fatty Acids, ASAE Transactions, 44(6):14291436.
www.me.iastate.edu/biodiesel